Thailand's Rules

  A 23-year-old woman from Alberta is sitting in a jail in Thailand right now and many people are outraged at the idea she may get up to ten years in prison for her crime. She has admitted to committing the crime but explains she was intoxicated and is very sorry for what she has done. Her crime? Writing graffiti on an ancient wall.

  "This is not a crime that warrants jail time." and "She's only a kid who made a mistake." are both floating around the news services.  Brittany Schneider is twenty-three, an adult, not thirteen which is a child. Would the punishment be different here in Canada? Absolutely but welcome to Thailand and it's their country and their laws.

  When you travel anywhere you must adhere to the laws of the land. Not Canada's. And when you break those laws you cannot cry to the Canadian government to bail you out of trouble and put you on the first flight home to the Great White North. They can help get you a lawyer or make sure you are being fed and taken care of medically but that's it most of the time. Part of your vacation planning should include a quick google search of laws and customs for the destination. Hell do it at the airport before your flight but be prepared. Especially if you are prone to drunken stupidity.

  I was told I had a "harsh" take on the situation. Where was my compassion? My empathy for a person who made a wrong choice? My response? Imagine that she had spray painted the War Memorial. Would you still be saying she was just a kid who made a mistake? Would you not be livid when she only received a fine and community service? People would be screaming for a tougher sentence. But she didn't disfigure anything of ours so we can be more lenient? I don't think so.

  A Thai jail is not going to be like anything here in Canada. Not even close. And if she does go to jail she will have a hard road in front of her. But perhaps she, and all of us, will learn a valuable lesson. Know where you are going. Know their customs and their rules. 

  Then respect them.

  Ang